Column finisher



Oct. 30, 1956 c. R. MlLoW 2,768,521

COLUMN FINISHER Filed June 15, 1954 F'g' 3 I9 f2 l-almllil-illmm I9P 1507 '6/15a '9 |40 Fig. 6 29 wlllm'r l "Ul'a INVENToR.

Ma/ can R. Milo Fig. 4 BY WHITEHEAD a vocal.

PER ATTORNEYS CGLUMN FINISHER Carl R. Milow, vnear Denver, Colo.

Application June 155 1954, Serial No. 436,955.

' 6 Claims. (ci. Fi212s) This invention relates to plaster working apparatus of that class which is used for running moulding and similar elongated objects of uniform cross section, kand more particularly to a novel and improved plaster working apparatus which is especially adapted for the running, striking off or finishing of a column or like cylindrical member, and the invention'herein disclosed will hereinafter be referred to as a column finisher.

The art of running plaster to form moulding and the like is very ancient. The ordinary Iapparatus for such purpose includes a bench or base h-aving spaced guide- `present invention was conceived and developed with the Y object of providing a novel and improved apparatus for the formation and finishing of columns and like cylindrical objects by the art of running plaster.

yOther objects of the invention are to provide such a novel and improved column tinished which: (a) is adapted to form cylindrical columns of circular cross section or of any other desired cross section such as rectangular,

Velliptic or even undulated, as in a fluted column; (b) is adapted to form a column ab initio from plaster or similar mortar, or to encase an existing column or core structure with a coat of plaster linished to a desired shape; (c) is especially adapted to be mounted and centered `upon a column core structure for the striking off and finishing of a coat of plaster applied thereon; (d) is adapted to be adjusted for columns of various lengths and may be easily shifted along a column core of great length to permit the finishing operation to be completed in several steps; (e) is equally Well adapted for manual or motorized operation of the striking of the plaster; and (f) is simple, sturdy and rugged in'construction, easy to use and provides a desirable and economical method of forming cylindrical columns and similar members for structural and other uses.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, all of which more fully hereinafter appear, my invention comprises certain novel and improved constructions, cornbinations and arrangements of parts and elements as Ahereinafter described, and as defined in the `appended claims, and illustrated, in preferred embodiment, in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is an isometric View of a manually operated unit of my improved column finisher illustrated in an upright position as ready for use.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional detail as viewed fromthe indicated line 2-2 at Fig. l but on an enlarged scale.

Patented Get. 36, i955 Figure 3 is a transverse section of the strickle member, hereinafter further described, as viewed from the indicated line 3 3 at Fig. l but on anenlarged scale.

Figure 4 is a transverse section of a frame portion as View from the indicated line 4-4 at Fig. l but on an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the unit illustrated at Fig. l but on a reduced scale and being somewhat diagrammatic in nature, showing a'column mounted therein, with portions of elements broken away to show parts otherwise hidden from View.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail of a frame portion similar to Fig. 4 but on a reducedscale and showing one manner of mounting the end of a column therein.

Figure 7 is an isometric View of a fragment of the strickle member shown in Fig. l but modified in form to eliminate flashing on theV finished column as hereinafter described in detail.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, my improved column finished is formed as an upstanding unit which is adapted to embrace a column core C and hold it at the center of the unit with the core axis vertical along the vertical polar axis P of the unit. The body of this finisher is formed by a flat base member itl and a head member 1i held apart in spaced parallelism by a a pair of vertical ways 12 and 12a which upstand from the base member in spaced parallelism and in diametrical opposition from the vertical polar axis P of the unit. A strickle plate i3 is slidably mounted upon the ways l2 and lia to lie therebetween and transversely thereto and with a centralorifice O therein defining the column-forming pattern of the strickle. This finisher' is adjustable in height and the elements forming the base lil, head ll and strickle 13 are divisible to permit the unit to be mounted upon and taken from a column core which is part of a building or otherwise so positioned that the finisher cannot be slid over an end of the column, all as hereinafter described in detail.

The base lil is formed as two flat, opposing symmetrical units, each comprising a semi-circular ring segment 14 or 14a, a pair of struts 15 or 15a, each of which extends tangentially from a side of the ring segment lli, to join together and form a symmetrical triangular extension, and a vertical sleeve 16 or 16a, between the struts 1S at their apex point.

The ring segment 14 is formed of angle stoel` with the upstanding arched ange .inwardly of the flat base flange. Each end of this angle-shaped segment 14 is terminated by a transverse pad 17 which includes an orifice therethrough adapted to receive a connecting bolt 13 to join it to the similar opposing mating ring segment 14a by passing through an orifice in a corresponding pad 17a. The segments 14 and 14a are each slightly less in extent than a semi circle and when joined together are held apart by a short spacer washer 19 on each bolt between the pads i7 and 17a. The diameter of this ring, formed by the interconnection of the segments i4 and Ma, is somewhat greater than the diameter of any column core which the unit is adapted to handle and, in operation, the end of a column core is adapted to be set into this circular base and there to be centered and locked in position by inwardly-directed radially-disposed lock screws 2i) positioned in a regular spacing about the segments in suitable tapped orifices in the upstanding leg of the ring segments 14 and 14a.

The struts l5 may be formed of angle stock similar to that forming the ring segments 14, the opstanding flange of each strut being turned inwardly so that one end may lie against, and be Welded or otherwise fastened to the upstanding flange of the segment and the other end against and be likewise fastened to, the sleeve 16. One end of the base flange of each strut lies upon the base flange of the ring segment while the other end extends beyond the sleeve 16 to join and be interconnected with the mating strut member. The triangular extensions formed by each pair of struts and 15a extend in opposite directions from the ring formed by joining the segments 14 and 14a so that the sleeves 16 and 16a are in spaced diametrical opposition from each other as clearly illustrated at Fig. 1.

The sleeves 16 and 16a are formed as short tubular members adapted to slidably receive the ways 12 and 12a, which are illustrated as being circular in section, although it is to be understood that the ways and sleeves may be of any other desirable section. These ways 12 and 12a upstand from the sleeves 16 and 16a as hereinbefore described and are locked in position by lock screws 21 which are threaded into the wall of each sleeve 16 and 16a.

The head member 11 is formed in exactly the same manner as the base member, by ring segments 14', and 14a', struts 15 and 15a', sleeves 16', and 16a', and other elements are hereinbefore described. This member is adapted to be mounted at the top of the vertical ways 12 and 12a opposite to the base member 10, as hereinbeforc described, and to be slid along these ways to a position of desirable column height and there to be locked in position by screws 21 which are threaded into the sleeves 16' and 16a to jam against the ways 12 and 12a.

The strickle plate 13 comprises a flat, substantiallysquare, frame 22, a pair of rectangular template plates 23 which lie within this frame and a pair of sleeves 24 and 24a at opposite sides of the frame which are slidably mounted upon the ways 12 and 12a. The frame 22 is formed by angle members whose base-flanges extend inwardly to provide a shelf whereon the template plates 23 will rest in a flat position. The ends of the upstanding legs of these angle members are overlapped in any suitable manner and joined together by screws 25 or the like in a manner which permits the unit to be dismantled for mounting upon a column core which cannot be placed into the iinisher or permit the iinisher to be placed over it.

The two template plates 23 are symmetrical, each forming a half square which lies within the frame 22. The opposing narrower side edges of each plate lie snugly against the upstanding legs of the adjacent frame members to be slidable within the frame towards the other plate, and the width of the frame transversely of the slidable edges is greater than the width of the two plates lying therein to permit a gap 26 between the plates at the start of a finishing operation which may be decreased by movement of the plates toward each other. This movement is controlled by a set screw 27 threaded into the upstanding leg of the opposing frame members as clearly illustrated at Figs. 1 and 5.

The orifice O formed by these plates is illustrated as being circular with the under edge beveled as at 28 in the ordinary manner of the formation of a strickle plate, and it is contemplated that the running of the plaster to shape a column will be by an upward movement of the strickle plate 13. During the reverse downward movements, the plates 23 may lift slightly out of the frame to bypass any small obstructions on the column surface being formed, somewhat in the manner of releasing the pressure of a conventional stricltle during reverse movements in the running of a moulding. The orifice O may be shaped in any suitable manner other than circular, such as being elliptical, rectangular, hexagonal, or irregular, it being contemplated that Various pairs of plates 23 may be used with the apparatus.

The sleeves 24 and 24a are adapted to slide upon the ways 12 and 12nin such a manner as to hold the strickle transverse of the polar axis i3 at all times, and are necessarily of such length as to prevent binding upon the ways. In this unit, the strickle 13 cannot finish that portion of the bottom of a column secured within the base 10. In the formation of a column where the ends are to be encased within the pedestal and capitol of the iinished unit, the ends of the column need not be finished, but in situations where the bottom of a column must be finished to its very end a small standard 29 of the same shape as the core may be attached to the bottom of the column core and fastened within the base 10 to permit the strickle to reach the bottom of the core, all as clearly illustrated at Fig. 6.

The unit may be manually operated or motorized in any suitable manner, such as illustrated at Fig. 5. A lead screw 36 and 30a (not shown) is mounted along the side of each way 16 and 16a, in bearings 31 and 32 at the base 1@ and head 11 respectively. A motor 33 is mounted upon the frame members forming the head 11 with its drive shaft carrying gears 34 which are interconnected to corresponding gears 3S and 35a on upstanding ends of the lead screws 30 and 30a by chains 36, all in such a manner that the movement of both lead screws 30 is synchronized. The strickle plate 13 is interconnected to each lead screw 30 and 30a by a threaded bushing 37 and 37a which outstands from each sleeve 24 and 24a. A suitable reversing control switch 38 is interconnected with the motor 33 to permit raising and lowering movements of the strickle.

In the formation of `a plaster column with this apparatus, a small dashing will be formed at the gap 26 between the plates 23, which may ordinarily be broken -away or sanded oi. However, where it is desirable that this flashing does not appear, the two plates 23 may be interconnected at the gaps 26 by small screed bars 39 which lie at the edge of the orice O as in slots 40 within the plates as clearly illustrated at Fig. 7.

The operation of this unit is to encase a column core with the unit, center it by manipulation of the screws 20 in the base 10 and head 11, apply a coat of plaster and operate the strickle to shape the column. In the formation of `a long column, it is simply necessary to form a portion at a time, moving the apparatus from one position to an adjacent position. The skilled plasterer will also devise other ways to adjust and use this apparatus.

I have herein described many details of construction, and uses for my invention, yet it is obvious that others skilled in the art will devise alternate and equivalent forms and constructions which are within the spirit and scope of my invention, hence, it is my desire that my protection be limited, not by the details and constructions -herein illustrated and described, but only by the proper scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A column nisher including a base member and head member adapted to be ixed in spaced surrounding relation to the ends of a column core, a plurality of ways secured to and extending between said members, said ways being adapted to be positioned in spaced parallelism with the axis of the column core, and a frame supported strickle plate slideably mounted upon said ways, each of said members comprising a pair of interconnected, arched, substantially semi-circular units adapted to be positioned in spaced relation about an end of the column core, adjustable locking means in engagement with the units, said locking means being adapted to center and aix the units upon the column core, each of said members including a pair of diametrically opposed arms extending outwardly thereof, each arm carrying a tubular socket in engagement with an end of a respective way.

2. The column linisher defined in claim l, wherein the arms of each member extends outwardly beyond the way retaining socket and carries a bearing, :a threaded lead screw extending between and engaging the bearings of the head and base members in parallel relation to the ways, internally threaded bushings secured to the frame supported strickle plate and being in threaded engagement with said lead screws, and power actuating means disposed on said finisher, said means being in engagement with said head screws, whereby said means is Edi'.

adapted to impart synchronous rotation to said lead screws lto thereby produce relative movement between said frame supported strickle plate and said ways.

3. The column tinisher of claim 1, wherein said strickle plate includes `a pair of rectangular co-planar template plates lying adjacent each other between the ways and transversely thereto, said plates having a column forming orice in their adjacent edges, said frame including supporting guides supporting the plates along their side edges, adjusting means engaging said guides yand plates and being adapted to separate or move the plates together along said guides.

4. The column inisher dened in claim 1 wherein said strickle plate includes la pair of template plates lying adjacent each other between the ways and transversely 15 6 other on the shelf with a column forming orifice in their abutting edges, said shelf being adapted to permit a small separation of the plates and means adapted to move the plates together.

6. The column finisher defined in claim 1 wherein said strickle plate includes a pair of template plates lying :adjacent each other between the ways and transversely thereto and being spaced apart slightly, a column forming orifice in the abutting edges of the plates for a screed balance engaging the plates at the edges of the orice and spanning said space.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 866,984 Thomson Sept. 24, 1907 925,858 Archdeacon June 22, 1909 1,545,888 Evans July 14, 1925 2,466,646 Salman et al. Apr. 15, 1949 

